Which international event marked the beginning of a global effort to address public health disparities and health inequities?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: The Declaration of Alma-Ata. This event marked the beginning of a global effort to address public health disparities and health inequities by emphasizing primary healthcare as a fundamental right for all. It recognized the importance of addressing social determinants of health and promoting equity in health services. The other choices are incorrect because: A: The Global Health Security Agenda focuses on preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats, not specifically on health disparities. B: The World Health Organization was established in 1948 and plays a crucial role in global health, but it does not specifically mark the beginning of addressing health disparities. D: The Millennium Development Goals aimed to address global challenges such as poverty, education, and gender equality, but did not specifically focus on health disparities.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The introduction of the polio vaccine. This achievement significantly reduced the global spread of polio by providing immunity against the virus. The vaccine was developed in the 1950s and played a crucial role in almost eradicating polio worldwide. The establishment of the CDC (B) is important for public health but did not directly target polio. Antibiotics (C) are used to treat bacterial infections, not viral diseases like polio. The development of the tuberculosis vaccine (D) is unrelated to the prevention of polio. Therefore, the introduction of the polio vaccine is the key public health achievement that directly impacted the reduction of the global spread of polio.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: The Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health. This report, released in 1964, provided clear evidence of the link between smoking and health issues, leading to increased public awareness and support for anti-smoking initiatives. The report also prompted the government to implement policies such as warning labels on cigarette packages and bans on tobacco advertising. The other choices are incorrect because: A: The National Cancer Act focused on cancer research and treatment, not specifically on smoking-related deaths. C: The creation of the National Health Service in the UK did not directly impact smoking-related deaths in the United States. D: The Clean Air Act primarily aimed to reduce air pollution, not specifically smoking-related deaths.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: The Medicare Act. This policy, introduced in the 1960s, specifically aimed to provide health insurance for elderly Americans aged 65 and older. Medicare is a federal program that helps cover healthcare costs for this demographic. A: The Social Security Act primarily focused on providing financial assistance to retirees and the disabled, not health insurance for the elderly. B: The Medicaid Act was introduced in the 1960s as well, but it provides health coverage for low-income individuals of all ages, not just the elderly. D: The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was signed into law in 2010 and aimed to increase access to healthcare for all Americans, not specifically targeting the elderly population in the 1960s.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). OSHA was passed in 1970 to ensure safe and healthy working conditions by setting standards and regulations to reduce workplace hazards. This law specifically focuses on protecting workers from risks related to their job tasks. The other choices, B: The Clean Water Act, C: The Environmental Protection Agency Act, and D: The Clean Air Act, do not directly target workplace safety but rather aim to address environmental concerns such as water pollution, air pollution, and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency for overall environmental protection.